new2BC4bass

I wouldn't say that. I know Diawa has at least 4 different magnetic brake systems. Magnetic brakes from other brands are different from Daiwa's. I know there are some differences in performance even among Diawa's systems. I don't know how many different centrifugal systems Shimano uses...3?...4? How about Abu's IVCB-IV system? Good choice.

Based on your last 3 sentences: "Anyway, I can cast 30 to 36 yds reasonably accurate. I was wondering how I'm doing. How far can you guys cast with similar setup? ", I feel you are asking 2 questions. "I can cast 30 to 36 yds reasonably accurate. I was wondering how I'm doing." I happen to have a Procaster 100HN and feel it is a very solid reel. Especially for what it sold at. I gather from your post that you haven't been using a baitcast reel very long. You are asking about distance with accuracy. Personally I feel the answer to this question is "very good." "How far can you guys cast with similar setup?" Now you are asking only about distance. Definitely further, and I am not nearly as good as most of these guys with a baitcast reel. How far? Couldn't say. Never tried a 1/2 oz teardrop sinker and measured the distance. I have measured lighter weights. BTW, you had to know when you posted this that you would be getting some off-the-wall answers. I know I got a laugh out of several. Answers didn't help you in the least, but they were fun to read.

A nephew of mine is said to have a natural talent for putting vertebrae back in place. I prefer to go to my chiropractor rather than chance it even though my nephew does it for free. If you can't find what you need to fix the reel on youtube, then consider someone like DVT. You know....guys that know what they are doing.

Agree with this. Never handled that rod, but a glass/composite wouldn't be my choice for heavier single hook lures like on spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Have to say after using a Medium graphite crankbait rod the past couple weeks, that it wouldn't be my choice either. Now my Tatula Medium Regular is a rod that I feel has enough power for those lures. I lean towards Daiwa over Shimano, but that is personal preference. Never used either of those Shimanos. Mine are Curados and above. I have used Tatula and Tournament MB reels and like both. I would also consider the Tatula SV as it can often be found around $135 and sometimes lower. However, if you like the Smoke S3, then that is what I would get. The few reviews I have read on it are all good. It is usually better to buy what interests you....not someone else....as long as it is a quality reel.

Your thread will probably get moved to the Flea Market. Have you tried DVT? Give him a call, or send an email.

I hardly ever use a line conditioner. However, I do hold the rod tip in the water on the first few casts of the day with each combo in order to get the line wet quicker so it is more manageable faster.

Super!!!! I am getting more and more psyched to get out with this rod.

Hadn't read your reviews before. Thanks. Very nice looking rod I got from you. No chance to use it yet, tho.

Bought this rod as a Christmas gift to myself. Hoping it is as great as all its reviews claim. However, it is not what the OP is looking for. It is rated 10-18 lb. and 1/4-1 oz. Rods listed on TW have a lowest rating of 6 lb. and 3/16 oz. Not a lot of difference, but maybe enough. Also possibly they may handle lower than rated. I don't know. Also possible they offer more models than TW lists and could have exactly what the OP is looking for. I did pick up a Benkei spinning rod for Ned Rigs. Nice looking rod. My first Major Craft rod. BPS Crankin' Stick comes in 3 lengths with a ML rating. They handle down to 1/16 oz. Although rated 6-14 lbs., I wouldn't be afraid to use 4# if desired. I have the 7' model. My Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" MF is rated down to 1/8 oz. and is a favorite rod of mine. I also use an older 7' ML HMG rated 1/8-1/2. It is one of the rods I learned to cast 3/16 oz. Shad Raps on. Gee. Looking like new is not always better. These are both out of production.

St. Croix Mojo is a purplish/maroon color....I think, but I'm not all that into the correct names of various hues, so what do I know? I think the Aetos is a beautiful rod....blues....especially in bright sunlight. Both probably over your budget, but rods that would not be sold for a long time to come. I agree that you need to make it a set-up she can enjoy without having to worry about fighting line twist every time out. However, that can also be accomplished with a mono or co-polymer (though not as good as braid) provided she is not using lures that create a lot of line twist. I fished with spinning reels and Trilene XL for a good many years without having to fight line twist every time out. The Lightning Shocks get excellent reviews as a low cost option. It is one rod that I haven't tried yet because of its color. Check with the fiancée before buying. Could turn her off as well. I like the standard Lightnings, but mine is black...and old. Don't know what color the news ones are. The Trion gets good reviews. You could also check into lower priced Daiwas, Lew's and Okumas.

I've got 2 rods in my basement that arrived with the tip broke off to the first eye. Have yet to get them fixed. Maybe I should give it a try.

I understand that. Kind of in the same boat myself which is why I have always bought factory rods that get good reviews. My customs are rods that someone else had built and then sold. They are nice, tho.

Thanks Tom. Will be visiting Walmart today or tomorrow and will see if this one carries the CD series. Also look at going bigger with the F-13

Day late. Was at Dick's and BPS in Daytona yesterday. I like that price. However, I am only a few minutes from a Walmart (who isn't).

Thanks. I see they weight 5/16 oz.

I hope you give us some feed back after using it for a bit. I picked up my first Major Craft ....a Benkei BIS-672L spinning rod...over the winter. Bought it for Ned Rigs. Guess what reel I bought for it. Yup...a BG 1500. Don't think I want that kind of sensitivity.

I have a MH spinning rod I've kept in Florida for several years. It won't throw a 10.5 inch Zoom as far as my casting rods will (both with 40# braid) so no way will I try an F-11 on it. I seldom take it out. Should sell it as I prefer baitcast anyway. That way I could ship a BC rod down that can handle the Rapala. I did ship a MF spinning rod down this year and have been using it with braid and a 7 inch trick worm on a 1/0 hook. Has caught a few fish. Could try the Rapala on it. I did bring an extra spinning reel spooled with mono. I will take a look at the Rapala BX Balsa Extreme and Megabass XJ-100. Can't hurt to give each a try. Quite sure I will have to order both Online. Thanks guys.

Appreciate the suggestions given so far. Thanks.

I get that it is easy today to buy technique specific rods that are great. Get Online or walk into a store and plop the money down. Done. However, I think I would be very tempted to buy a custom built rod when spending $500 or more and knowing exactly what I wanted it to do for me.

I said TREBLE HOOK lures. A MHF rod is not a good choice for lures with smaller treble hooks. Rods from some companies run heavier than the norm. St. Croix is one of those companies. This doesn't help when using a lure with smaller treble hooks. The rod's power can tear the hooks out. A nylon line and/or lower drag settings can help keep this from happening. EDIT: Since you will be using braid, just keep the drag a bit lower than you normally would for single hooks when using treble hook lures. Your landing percentage may not be as high as it would be for a more forgiving rod, but it is still doable. Won't take you long to figure it out. Obviously a large fish and small hook is going to be the worst scenario.

The F-11 is a favorite lure where I fish with my brother-in-law in Florida...................but at 3/16 oz. and not very aerodynamic it is hard for me to get much distance with on the baitcast rods I keep there. Is there another lure, or lures, that would imitate the size, shape and action of this lure, but be heavier? I've got casting rods at home that would work with it, but I already keep several rods there and shipped 3 more down this year. I don't want to impose any more than that on my relative's hospitality by shipping another rod for them to store for me. (Probably already imposing too much.)

I assume the rod has a Fast action. 6'6"-7' MHF and 6'6"-7' MF are often touted as good all around rods. I'm sure you already know both the rod and reel you have chosen are highly thought of by most. Use the combo for everything until you reach a point that you want a technique specific rod. Obviously it wouldn't be a first choice for some treble hook lures, but line choice and a lighter drag setting will still let the rod be useable for them. You have chosen an excellent combo. Good luck with it.

Hasn't ever stopped anybody yet from continuing to make suggestions.

I received a used reel with red braid (I assumed PP, but...?). I don't remember being wowed by its visibility.

That was my exact thought with the first cast I made with an Okuma Helios Air. I didn't have that thought with any of the 3 Lew's I own....an older Tournament Pro, Tournament MB and Pro Z.